Apple's Podcasts app for iPhone debuts on the App Store

The sound of progress

After years of sitting back and letting third-party apps tackle the issue of podcast management, Apple has finally stepped up and provided its own solution in the form of new app Podcasts.

Anyone who has used iTunes before (that is, anyone with an iOS device) will find the Podcasts interface immediately familiar.

With a few quick taps, you can stream any of the thousands of 'casts available online. You can also subscribe to your favourites directly within the app, ensuring you never miss a single show.

Conveniently, Podcasts lets you browse iTunes's vast online library according to audio or video format, and explore the Top Stations listing to find the best-rated shows in categories like comedy, music, sports, and news.

There's also a neat option to sync playback between iOS devices, allowing you to start a podcast on your iPhone, then pick up from exactly where you left off on your iPad.

Podcasts is available for free from the App Store now.

P.S. If you think Apple's Podcasts app is impressive, take a look at The Big A's highest Qi rated applications here. You might be surprised.